



■> 



^ 

L^-^^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

Cliap..-..— CopyrigM No.....— 



5^^t' Ju 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 






Jf^s^, 



^^;#.*ll^* 




Between Whiles 



By 
EDWARD HALLETT MACY 



DEC 23 ^pt> P 



NEW BEDFORD, MASS. -' 
A. E. COFFIN, PRINTER, 69 PURCHASE ST. 

1896 






Copyright 1896, by E. II. Macy. 



Prefatory Note* 



In presenting ' ' Between Whiles " to the pub- 
lic, its author desires to give a word of explana- 
tion : — -the poems herein contained are not wholly 
the result of recent endeavor, but represent 
nearly all of the writer's work along poetical 
lines from a very early period up to the present 
time. Many have been published — but do not 
necessarily now appear in the order of their pub- 
lication — and, to these, are added others that 
now, for the first time, are seen in print. It is 
the wish of the author that among the diversity 
of material here gathered, there may be help 
and interest for every reader. E. H. M. 

New Bedford, Oct. 20, 180G. 



Contents* 



PAGE 

Over the Clover, 5 

McDaphal's Ride, 5 

Happiness, 6 

Passed and Smiled, 6 

Found Dead, 7 

Eunior, 7 

Interrogation, S 

Life, 8 

Darling Fast Asleep, 9 

To J. S. P., 9 

Shadow Dreams, iQ 

Hidden Sorrow, 10 

Home Again, 11 
Would You Call Them 

Back Again? 11 

Separation, 12 

When I Die, 12 

October, 13 

Destiny, 13 

What Might Have Been, 14 

Childhood's Pleasures, 14 

Fortune, 15 

Evening in the Country, 15 

'Tis Best, 16 

Amaus, 17 
'•Time Works Wonders," 18 

True Happiness, 18 

Christian Sympathj-, 19 

At Eve, 19 

Thanksgiving, 20 

Nantucket, 20 

Cherry Blooms, 21 

To the River, 22 



PAGE 

Watching for You, 23 

Metamorphosis, 24 
" I Cannot Call Him Dead," 25 

Evening, 25 

A Life's Story, 26 

The Wanderei''s Return, 28 

A Boy's Lament, 29 

Just to Forget, 30 

Her Pniyer, 31 

Flo, * 32 

Then and Xow, 32 

Since the Old Man Died, 33 

Dreaming and Waking, 34 
"A Little While, Then 

Home,*' 35 

Life and Death, 36 

My Friend, 37 

Invocation for a Bible, 38 

Against Fate, 39 

The Comforter, 39 

Same As I, 40 

The Prophecy, 41 

Admonition, 42 

On the Way, 43 

Hankerin' for You. 43 

Over the Fence, 44 

Contrasts, 45 

Drifting Apart 45 

Rover, 46 

I Wonder, 47 
Lines for a Golden Wedding, 48 

When She Was Here, 49 

Revelation, 50 



OVER THE CLOVER, 

Rover runs over the clover — 

Over and over, 

Clover and Rover, 
Over and over the clover — 
Over the sweet scented clover. 

Rafter, with laughter, comes after 
After and after, 
Rafter with laughter, 
Over and over the clover — 
.Over the sweet scented clover. 

So, till the long day is over, 

Rover and girl 

Turn, run and whirl 
Over and over the clover — 
Over the sweet scented clover. 



McDAPHAUS RIDE. 

McDaphal he rode to the city one morn — 

Rode in his cart filled with milk cans and corn — 

To the Moter street market his produce to sell — - 

Produce whose merits all the people could tell — 

And he smiled to himself and he laughed in his glee, 

" Where's the corn that can beat mine in size?— te hee!" 



6 BETWEEN WHILES. 

The people called to him as their houses he passed — 
The poor and the rich, for the prices he asked 
Were suited alike to every man and his station — 
To the cotter as well as his richer relation. 

Thus McDaphal he rides to the city each morn — 
Rides in his milk cart filled with milk cans and corn ; 
On his milk being milk you can always rely — 
He depends not on pumps for a fuller supply ; 
And, although in his town no inspector is found, 
His milk beats all milk in the country around. 

HAPPINESS. 

O, to be perfectly hai^pj'. 

With ne'er a thought of care, 

Contented whatever may be — 
No matter where we are ! 

But O, how vain this wish of mine — 

Real happiness is rare : 
Although this moment has no pain, 

The next one brings despair. 

Still, do good to those about us 

And then we'll surely see 
That, in making others happy. 

The happier we will be. 

PASSED AND SMILED. 

She passed, and all a flutter 

My heart began to be ; 
Passed, but no word did utter — 

She only smiled on me ; 
But I entered on my duties 

As pleased as any child — 
The world took on new beauties 

For she had passed and smiled. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 7 

[The body of au unknown young man was found on the 
shore at Nantucket. This cu'cunistance prompted the follow- 
ing lines.] 

FOUND DEAD. 

Dead ! Found on the shore at the break of day, 
After tlie storm of the night passed away, 
Tossed by the waves without pity, in truth, 
Bleeding, the form of a golden haired youth. 

How came this once hajDpy youth there to be? 
Was, in the storm, a bold ship wrecked at sea, 
Or was he the victim to further vile ends? 
The sea only knows and no answer it sends. 

Once he was smiling^a beautiful boy — 
The pride of a mother, of a father, the joy — ■ 
The comfort of both, iJways hopeful and gay, 
And, of their old age, soon to be the main stay. 

Alas for fond dreams all fulfilled ne'er to be 
And ambitious hopes all attained none to see — 
Hard, hard for his friends, with bowed head, to tell 
Humbly and truly that perhaps it is well. 

Remember the hearts anxious waiting today 
As, thoughtlessly hasting, you lay him away 
And tenderly — even as they, were they here — - 
Shed over his grave the unbidden tear. 

RUMOR. 

As, in the whirl of the winds of September, 
Scattered the leaves fly over the ground, 

So scatter the false and the true of a rumor, 
Gathering strength, as it stops, to rebound. 

Till, at length, a plain statement or a mere supposition 
Of what can or may be, should things come to pass. 

Being lengthened a little at each new rendition. 
Assumes truth stupendous — when, really, it's "'gas.'* 



BETWEEN WHILES. 

INTERROGATION. 

My heart is. sad. But why? I ask. 
To answer were no easy task — 
I know not wh}^ a nameless dread 
Of something evil o'er me shed 
That rends my cup of joy in twain 
And turns my pleasure into pain. 

I have it now — why not before? — 

I would enjoy life evermore. 

Tis but a futile wish I see — 

The hand of Death bids, "Come to me." 

Awhile on earth we hold a place; 

To die — the lot of all the race. 

Our life — what is it but a breath? 

A little pleasure, pain, then death. 

But O, how happy, at its close, 

Is he who 's done the right and knows, 

For him the race, so hard, is won. 

And soon he'll hear the words, "AVell done." 

LIFE. 

Life it is a mighiy river 

Flowing onward to the sea; 
We are boats that sail its waters, 

Drifting toward eternity. 

Snags of sorrow ever meeting. 

Isles of pleasure oft in view, 
Plunged in grief for one short moment. 

Soon a scene of gladness through — 

Thus we glide to where the water 

Changes to an inky black; 
Safe across this gloomy current, 

Naught of happiness we lack. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 

DARLING FAST ASLEEP. 

Underneath the willow, 
Where the shadows creep, 

There we laid our Nellie — 
Darling, fast asleep. 

How we miss our treasure ! 

And our eyes will weep — 
Ne'er can we forget her — 

Darling, fast asleep. 

When we think of Nellie, 

In the twilight deep. 
When we long to see her — 

Darling, fast asleep, 

Our lips sing words of promise. 
Our hearts with joy do leap : 

We shall soon be with her, — 
Darling ! — fast asleep. 

TO J. S. P. 

To one who, past all doubts and fears, 

His race has run — 
Who, through his life, must say through tears, 

" Thy will be done"— 
This tribute slight, of love and praise. 
To bless his memory, I raise. 

We call him dead and speak with awe 
Of virtues that, in him, we saw, 
But voice our quickened memory gives 
And raises loud the shout, "He lives!" 

He lives I and not alone on High ; 
He lives ! such lives can never die : — 
In mem'ries, sweet, our hearts to fill. 
He lives to wield an influence still. 



10 BETWEEN WHILES. 

SHADOW DREAMS. 

As I sit here in the gloom, 

The fire's glow lights up the room 

And the shadows dance along the floor and wall; 
And I cannot help but make 
Shadows, grim and ghostly, take 

Familiar forms that mem'ry bids recall. 

And I see, once more, the mill 

Standing on the little hill, 
Hear again the merry splashing of the brook 

As it falls the old wheel o'er — 

Sweetest music, give me more! — 
Rushing ever onward to the sea. But look! 

See, far out upon the water. 

See the loved form of my daughter! 

" O, my God!" I shriek to see her helpless there; 
But a laugh drowns all my screaming 
And "Papa, you 've been a-dreaming," 

Wakes me from a troubled sleeping in my chair. 

HIDDEN SORROW. 

O, the hearts so full of sorrow. 

Hidden 'neath a smiling face, 
Which, although they may be breaking, 

Give to us no outward trace. 

Hearts that turn from idly moping, 

Making others sad as they. 
And in acts, to all appearance. 

Are the "gayest of the gay." 

All their grief with patience bearing 

Till the coming of the day 
That shall see them safe in heaven 

Where all care, shall flee away. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 11 



HOME AGAIN. 



Nantucket, who, with outstretched arms, 
Welcomes a wanderer home again. 

Where doth He thy famed charms? — 
Why am I glad to get back again? 

Thine was the isle that gave me birth 
And not a spot in all the earth 

Is linked to me with ties like thine 
(O, happy days of Auld Lang Syne!). 

Nantucket, I am old and gray — 
Not many years and then away — 

But what care I in death to lie? 
Seen thee again, content to die. 

O, take me, when the end is near, 

When I must go from haunts so dear, 

Back to my youthful home to lie 

Till, lulled to rest by the waves, I die. 



WOULD YOU CALL THEM BACK AGAIN? 

Would you call them back again — 
Loved ones crossed to fairer shores — 

Back to earth and sin and pain. 
If the mighty power were yours? 

Would you have them know once more 
Trouble which they knew in life. 

Now that care for them is o'er 

And they 're free from earthly strife? 

Say not that 't would make thee glad. 
Waking them from dreams of peace, 

Rather think, when lone and sad. 

Of meeting them when life shall cease. 



12 BETWEEN WHILES. 

SEPARATION. 

Why do we mourn our loved at rest? 
Why do we weep? Among the blest 
They dwell in peace for evermore; 
Not lost, but only gone before. 

Why do we weep? A little while 
And we shall see their greeting smile, 
And clasp again their outstretched hand, 
Now beck'ning from the better land. 

United, then, for evermore 
At rest — all care and sorrow o'er — 
To dwell in peace — no fear of pain 
That separation brings again. 



WHEN I DIE. 

When I die, may angels bear me 
To that land of peace and rest; 

When I die, to realms of glory 
May I go to join the blest. 

Shall I think of those behind me. 

Left a little longer there. 
When I 'm in that land of loving, 

Wishing them my joy to share? 

Shall I listen for their footsteps 
Coming to the great white throne? 

Shall I long to see their faces, 
Feeling sad and all alone? 

No, for in that land of beauty. 
All of hope and longing cease; 

Jesus reigns! and, in his presence, 
We enjoy eternal peace. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 13 

OCTOBER. 

I wandered through October's woods — 
The trees, once bright with green, 

Now stood in Autumn's mantle 'rayed. 
And not a leaf was seen. 

I thought of some poor souls on earth 
Who, clothed in grief and sorrow. 

Await, with patient hearts, a day — 
The Christian's glad "to-morrow" — 

When, through the gloomy gate called ""death," 

Their tired feet shall stray — 
We thank thee. Lord, that, e'en as trees, 

Our souls shall change that day ; 

No more to hope and then despair — 

All earthly woes shall cease — 
And changed our robes of grief and care 

For those of endless peace. 

DESTINY. 

O, Destiny ! — thou who thwarts our best laid schemes 

And, ruthless, destroys our coveted dreams — 

To thy arms we fly, though 'gainst our will, 

And find thee but a traitor still. 

Tho' well we know that, could we choose 

A seeming bright way for our use. 

That, in the path, more woes we 'd find 

Than in the way by thee inclined. 

So, Destiny, we fly to thee. 
Hoping what is, is best to be; 
Trusting events, tho' seeming ill. 
Working together, our cup will fill 
With happiness, and flow it o'er 
And brina: contentment evermore. 



14 BETWEEN WHILES. 

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. 

Heart of mine, Avhy idly moping, 
Grieving for what might have been, 

If thy nature, prone to error. 
Had not lured thee into sin? 

Shall the ever present mem'ry 
Of a fault confessed, forgiven, 

Reckless and all aimless make thee 
And destroy thy soul for Heaven? 

Stir th5^self, O heart despairing. 
Drifting on life's troubled sea. 

Disappointed in the ' ' might have been, " 
Make the most of "is to be." 



CHILDHOOD^S PLEASURES. 

As we journey toward the harbor 

On the stormy sea of life; 
As we fast approach death's portal. 

Weary, fainting with the strife, 
Pleasures, oft in childhood tasted, 

Seem far dearer now than then; 
And we sigh and say, in sadness, 

"They will ne'er return again." 

They are over — priceless pleasures! — 

Youth, enjoy them while you may 
You will one day stand, as we do, 

Looking back to childhood's day; 
And the tears will fall unbidden — 

As you bear life's cross of pain. 
You will sigh and say in sadness, 

"Boyhood days, return again!" 



BETWEEN WHILES. 15 

FORTUNE. 

There are times, in life's hard journey, 
When we murmur 'gainst our lot — 

When we sigh for all the pleasures 
Others have and we have not. 

Most of all we sigh that Fortune 

Has not smiled upon our way, 
Pouring in our hands the dollars 

While we sit and wait all day. 

Strange that we should ne'er remember 

Fortune never likes a shirk, 
But that all she ever smiled on 

Courted her by earnest work. 

Once know this, our way seems clearer — 
Forward, then, and on, we press. 

Till our efforts are rewarded 
By a lasting, sweet success. 

But the love of worldly pleasures 
All has fled with lapse of years — 

Wealth at last crowns all endeavor. 
But contentment ne'er appears. 



EVENING IN THE COUNTRY. 

The day is done : the sun's last ray 

Is fading in the west, 
And now, o'er earth, comes twilight gray 

That heralds night and rest. 

From pastures, green with dewy grass, 

The cows are driven home 
By barefoot boy or buxom lass 

For milking time has come. 



16 BETWEEN WHILES. 

In barn, now sweet with new mown hay, 

The evening tasks begun. 
The farm hands joke and work away 

Until the chores are done. 

And then, when all is fast for night. 
They reach the house and find 

A welcome and well-earned respite 
And leave all care behind. 

Without, night's robe is all unfurled 

And, from it's ample fold. 
Are shaken stars which, at the world. 

Are blinking eyes of gold. 

Now all is silence and repose — 
All hushed is earth and air, 

For nature hails, with joy, day's close 
And peace is everywhere. 

^TIS BEST. 

' ' Lift up your head, ( ) Rachel — 

The sun is beginning to rise 
And the glory of the morning 

Is flooding the eastern skies; 
And cease thee now from weeping — 

Let sorrow flee away, 
For our boy is peaceful sleeping 

That we prayed might see the day." 

And he led her to the bedside 

Where her little treasure lay — 
The lines of pain and suff'ring 

Forever smoothed away; 
A smile of peace and beauty 

Proclaimed a sleej) of rest, 
And, soft and sweet, the mother said, 

"Thy win be done — 'tis best." 



BETWEEN WHILES. 17 

'T is best : this blest assurance 

Illumes the Christian way — 
However rough the journey seems, 

However dark the day 
'T is best. The prayer unanswered, 

Unanswered may remain 
But that, through suffering, the trusting soul 

May greater bliss attain. 

'T is hard to understand it now — 

Sometime our hearts will see — 
When looking back the way we came. 

What was, was best to be. 
'T will all be plain to us at last. 

In some long looked for day 
And, in a voice of praise to God, 

We '11 thank him for "the way." 

AMANS. 

When she smiles, I love her. 

For then, upon her face. 
The rarest beauties hover 

That angel fingers trace. 

When she speaks, I love her. 

For, from her lips, I hear 
The word that shows, above her, 

Angelic forms are near. 

When she weeps, I love her. 

For angels weep as she — 
The tears her fair face cover 

In sympathy for me. 

Because she loves, I love her — 

Because her love is mine. 
O'er us the angels hover 

And make our love divine. 



18 BETWEEN WHILES. 

''TIME WORKS WONDERS/^ 

I loved a maid with flaxen hair — 
This Uttle maid loved me, 

I asked, would she my fortune share? 
"I'll be your wife," said she. 

Her father, who consent withheld, 
Was firm as dads can be — 

' ' Then, since elopements are the rage, 
Why, we'll elope," quoth she. 

Her pa pursued and caught us both, 
Ere she my name could bear, 

And brought us back in deep disgrace, 
A sad, but wiser pair. 

And now, whene'er I see her face 
And hear her scolding tongue, 

I thank the fates for my escape 
That day, when I was young. 



TRUE HAPPINESS. 

If cherished hopes, when once attained, 
Are not as pleasing as you thought ; 

If fondest dreams, fulfilled at last. 
Give not the satisfaction sought; 

Despair thee not, nor be downcast — 
'Tis but the common lot of all — 

No joyous hour but grief is near 
And comes at recollection's call. 

But look above the world's deceit. 

When prone to murmur 'gainst thy lot. 

And find, in sweet commune with God, 
The peace and happiness you sought. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 19 

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY. 

There is no heart — however vile 'though seeming — 

On God's earth anywhere, 
But, in it's deep recesses, dormant, dreaming, 

Some germ of good is there. 

Some germ that only 'waits a kindly token 

A Christly heart may give 
By pleasant smile or word, in kindness spoken. 

To bid it wake and live. 

Ah, sad our eyes should be so often blinded 

By bent to judge from sight — 
A heart of sympathy and love, Christ minded, 
Rash judgment jjuts to flight. 

It sees, in every wayward, fallen brother, 

Far more than common clod, 
And wakes to life the Christ within the other 

And leads it to it's God. 



AT EVE. 

Into the west the sun goes down, 

Tinging with blood the sky. 
Shedding a farewell glow on the town. 

Telling that eve is nigh. 

And, as it sinks away from sight. 

The sunset gun is free, 
And, from the lighthouse tower, the light 

Beams on a heaving sea. 

Swiftly the twilight fades away. 
Bearing night's curtain down — 

The Angelus hails the close of day 
And silence rules the town. 



20 BETWEEN WHILES. 

THANKSGIVING. 

'T was in a little village church — 

I worshipped there one day, 
And blessed are the raem'ries 

From there I bore away; 
The people seemed all full of praise 

That kept a-bubbling o'er 
In happy shouts of ' ' Bless the Lord " 

And "Aniens" by the score. 

And then the talk the preacher gave, 

It did my old heart good ! 
'T was full of how God's love to us 

Through centuries has stood. 
He counted all our blessings o'er — 

Health, home, and church and friends. 
And then the hope of heaven at last 

And joy that never ends. 

And, ere the grateful service closed 

With benediction sweet, 
The happy people stood and sang — 

Their hearts right at God's feet; 
From every voice there came the song — 

Though some were cracked and slow — 
The song of love and praise to God 

From whom all blessings flow. 



NANTUCKET. 

Nantucket, 'tis of thee. 
Isle in the restless sea, 

Of thee I sing. 
Fair land that saw my birth. 
Best spot in all the earth. 
Help me to sing thy worth — 

Fit tribute bring. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 21 

There many fleeting j'ears — 
Scenes full of smiles and tears — 

My 3'outh has known; 
And not a brook or hill 
But I remember still 
And I could find at will 

Though years have flown. 

Past all my childhood days, 
But ah, no less of praise 

To thee I bring, 
But, while this life shall last. 
Thoughts oft to thee I'll cast — 
Till Heaven is reached at last, 

Of thee I'll sing. 



CHERRY BLOOMS. 

How silently they fell to earth — 
Those cherrj^ blooms so white — 

E'en as the snow drops, in their mirth, 
Fall softly in the night. 

And each new breeze that swept the tree. 
Unloosed them thick and fast 

Until, of blooms, the limbs were free, 
And white, the earth, at last. 

I thought of hopes, in days gone bye, 

That filled my tree of life 
That, loosed by breeze of fate, now lie 

All conquered in the strife. 

But blossoms, that from branch are free, 

Shall beautify the ground. 
And hopes, 'though ne'er attained to be, 

Shall e'en to bless be found. 



22 BETWEEN WHILES. 

TO THE RIVER. 

" How far is it to the river?" 

I asked a little child. 
She ceased her play a moment, 

Looked up to me and smiled, 
Then said, with childish gladness, 

" O miles and miles — for me — 
Through Childhood Way and Girlhood 

And Womanhood, you see; 
I scarce can think todaj' of sorrow — 
Life has for me no sad tomorrow. 

" How far is it to the river?" 

I asked a maiden bright. 
A moment paused she in her song 

And laughed with heart so light, 
Then said, with maiden blushes, 

" Long years must pass away — 
Through Maidenhood and Motherhood 

My happy feet must stray ; 
And coming da3'S seem full of gladness 
With scarce a shade of any sadness." 

"How far is it to the river?" 

I asked a woman grown. 
Whose thirty years of living 

No wedded bliss had known. 
She said, "There still, before me. 

Lie many weary years — 
Perhaps some joy in Womanhood 

Then Old Age with its fears ; 
But all, with joy and sorrow blending. 
Is ever to the river tending." 

' ' How far is it to the river?" 

A mother asked I then 
Who, through long years of joy and pain. 

Had watched her boys be men. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 23 

She sighed, ' ' Few years before me — 

I near its rushing tide ; 
Although much joy has sweetened pain, 

I do not dread to ghde 
Serenely out upon its crest 
And seek fore'er my boon of rest." 

" How far is it to the river?" 

I asked a woman old, 
Whose sight was dim and hair was white 

That once was tinged with gold. 
She said, ' ' I hear it's current, 

I stand upon its shore 
And, impatient, wait the rest 'twill bring 

In 3'et a few days more ; 
Eternal joy lies o'er the river 
And blessed gift of peace forever. " 

And thus they answered me that day — 
From little child to woman gray: — 
The child died ere the day was done — 
The maid, before the rise of sun ; 
The woman, ere a week was o'er, 
Had drifted to the other shore ; 
And, ere a month had passed away, 
The mother's form, in silence, laj- 
Asleep, and yet the woman gra}' 
Is waiting by the stream to-day. 



WATCHING FOR YOU. 

I've been watching for you 
Since the year was new 

And the snow was everywhere, 
And the air was keen 
And the sun scarce seen 

For the heavy clouds up there. 



24 BETWEEN WHILES. 

I've been watching for you 
Since the Springtime, too, 

Went away forever more. 
And the roses, so gay, 
Bloomed and faded away 

On the bush by the kitchen door. 

I've been watching for 3'ou 
Since the summer's skies bhie 

Changed their hue for leaden gray, 
And the leaves from the trees 
Were stripped by the breeze 

And the Autumn passed away. 

I'm still watching for you 
'Tho conviction, anew. 

Seems taking shape in my brain 
That bids me give o'er 
My watch by the door 

For you'll ne'er return again. 



METAMORPHOSIS. 

Long she sought a tinted flower, 
That to give her lover — 

'Though she sought in ev'rj' bower, 
None could she discover 

Save a few of other hue — 

Only one of pink would do. 

But she heard an angel speak 
And she, quickly, at his word. 

Laid a white bloom to her cheek 
And a blessed change occurred. 

For the bloom of white to vieAv 

Changed to pink of lovliest hue. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 25 

"I CANNOT CALL HIM DEAD/' 

I cannot call him dead : 

The old, sweet face that shone, 

Beneath the curly head, 

With light of heaven alone. 

I cannot call him dead : 

The old, glad smile of love 
That seemed but Heaven fed 

And dropped down from above. 

I cannot call him dead : 

The old glad wa3"s I knew — 
The glance he on me shed 

Like angel looking through. 

I cannot call him dead : 

The old, sweet voice so kind 
That always higher led 

And heaven kept in mind. 

I cannot call him dead. 

Nay — "gone," if Heaven so will 
But, in my heart, is shed 

His presence blessing still. 

EVENING. 

Twilight gray is softly blending 

With the darker hues of night; 
Through the sky, as if defending 

Blithesome day from sombre night. 
Shoots a streak of golden splendor — 

'Mid the dark, one ray of light. 

All too soon, the struggle over, 
Vanquished day now hastes away. 

And the shades of evening cover, 

'Neath their folds, the venturous ray; 

Yet the glow, awhile that lingers, 
Tells us of another day. 



26 BETWEEN WHILES. 

Now the night, it's robe unfurHng, 
Spreads itself o'er earth and skj^ — 

Shakes its ample fold and, whirling, 
Fall the stars in place on high — 

Each a dot of golden beauty, 
Each one God's protecting eye. 

An unspoken benediction 

Breathes itself o'er earth and sk}^ 

And, defying contradiction, 

Conies the thought that God is nigh, 

And secure, and calm, and trusting, 
All the realms of Nature lie. 

A LIFPS STORY. 

" O, have you seen her anywhere — 
Happy Alice, young and fair, 
She, about whose snowy breast, 
A heavenly halo seemed to rest. 
She left me years and years ago 
For where — O, that my heart did know — 
They say, she died — to Heaven has gone — 
And left me here on earth forlorn ; 
Ah, no! — not so ! — transfused hearts 
Relentless death, itself, ne'er parts. 
And, had she gone to join the blest. 
Her loving spirit could not rest 
Till I, who loved her fondly, dear. 
Was by her side, forever near." 

With sideward glance and questioning eyes, 
I looked, thus speaking my surprise 
And, as the speaker turned awa}', 
With anxious eyes, and rags, and gray, 
I bade my friend to break the spell 
And, if he could, his story tell. 
One glance of pity on the man 
And then his mournful tale began. 



BETWEEN WHILES. ''i'^ 

" His is a story often told 
Of j^outhful lover, manly, bold ; 
Of lovely maiden, loving, true, 
With years of wedded bliss in view. 
Alas, to come before they're wed, 
One day the cry goes forth, ' She's dead !' 
With mind deranged by sudden grief — 
The fact to him beyond belief — 
He seeks her sadly far and near 
And fades himself from 3'ear to year." 

In sympathy I hear the tale 

But passing years soon draw a veil 

Upon the man, whose story sad 

Had damped my spirits once so glad. 

* ** * * * * « 

Once more I see him — dying now, 
The dread, death damp upon his brow. 
Yet words, in consolation given, 
Ne'er soothe his clouded mind to Heaven. 
We watch his face in Christian love, 
And leave the rest to God above. 

Sudden he moves — his ej'es ope wide — 
The waiting ones are at his side ; 
We think the hour has surely come 
That bids his spirit, welcome home. 
With ecstacy upon his face, 
Transformed by glorious, inward grace. 
His lips, but late, so silent, stirred, 
" Alice — at last — I've found," we heard, 
And then the beating heart was stilled. 
With thoughts of awe our souls were filled — 
Hard for our minds to understand 
How soul meets soul on Borderland 
But sure, for him, his search was done — 
That now two loving hearts were one ; 
And praises quickly broke the spell 
To Him who doeth all things well. 



38 BETWEEN WHILES. 

THE WANDERER'S RETURN. 

He stood beside the broken rail — 

A wanderer returned — 
His eyes filled fast with bitter tears, 

His heart with longing burned. 

Back to his youthful home he came, 
To find the old folks gone — 

The old house fallen to decay 
And everything forlorn. 

And now his thoughts turn back again 
To happy boyhood's dreams, 

When mother, father, friends were his — 
How far away it seems ! 

He thinks of how he bade good bye 
To what now seems so dear, 

And started out to tr}" the world 
Without a sigh or tear. 

And he recalls the parting kiss 

A weeping mother gave. 
And sighs to think that loving form ' 

Lies silent in the grave. 

A longing fills his inmost soul 

To see her face some day, 
But O, the sins of all the past, 

Can they be washed away? 

And suddenly, throughout the gloom, 
He thinks he hears her voice — 

The words she's sung him o'er and o'er 
Now make his heart rejoice. 

Within the little church near by, 

The people sing again 
Of "Jesus, lover of my soul" 

A refuge of all men. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 39 

The wanderer hears, and, touched, his heart 

Is filled with thoughts of God ; 
His prayer is raised, "Be merciful 

To me, a sinner. Lord!" 

His cry is heard : he feels with joy 

That now, from sin set free. 
With mother, father, gone before, 

His home shall some day be. 

Now, weary with the day's long march, 

Beneath the stars he lies 
In sleep, to dream of coming bliss 

In mansions in the skies. 

And when the lovely morning comes 

In brightest garments dressed. 
The people find the wanderer 

In dreamless sleep — at rest. 

A BOY'S LAMENT. 

" I'm in an awful pickle now 

And, when I tell the reason, 
I'm sure you'll say my protest here 

Is decidedly in season : — 
My mother always buys my clothes — 

'Tis strict economy — 
With pants and sleeves a lot too long 

And coat too big for me ; 
She'll tell the clerk, ' He's bound to grow 

And that is just the reason 
I buy his clothes a little large — 

To do for him next season.' " 

" They're awful big — these clothes of mine — 
And O, I feel so vexed — 
I'd like to buy this season's suit 
And trust luck for the next ; 



30 BETWEEN WHILES. 

I'm bound to grow — of course I am, 

But still I'd like the joy 
Of wearing clothes that fit me now — 

Like an}" other boy. 
But O, I musn't think such thoughts — 

It surely must be treason — 
But be resigned to wearing clothes 

To do for me next season." 

'" But mother will not have me long 

For me such care to give — 
I couldn't eat but half a pie 

This morning — I can't live ; 
Ah, me ! — I guess it's just as well — 

I am so pestered here 
A wearing clothes that never fit 

Except when worn next year ; 
And Heaven must be better'n earth — 

I think I know the reason : — 
You never have to buy your clothes 

To do for you next season." 

JUST TO FORGET. 

Just to forget life's endless woes and losses — 
The duty hard that never could be done, 

The bitter strife and ever bitter crosses — 
That would be joy at every set of sun. 

Just to recall the pleasant words of greeting 
The kindly act that made the morn so bright, 

The vict'ries gained, the faint success we're meeting - 
That would be joy at each approach of night. 

Just to forget — but lessons learned by trial 

Would lose their end if passed to ever after miss; 

And joy would pale if never came denial, 

And sour, the sweetness of a never ending bliss. 



BETWEEN WHILES, 31 



HER PRAYER. 



" Now I lay me down to sleep," 

My little darling said, 
As she knelt beside my knee 

Before she went to bed ; 
" I pray the Lord my soul to keep," 

The little voice went on, 
" If I should die " — she faltered here 

And, in a voice forlorn. 
Said, "Mamma, but I want to live — 

I do not want to die. 
We 're all so happy here at home — 

My papa, you and I. 

" But if you die," I tried to say, 

" Before from sleep you wake. 
Just ask the Lord, my fairy dear. 

Your little soul to take." 
A troubled face was raised to mine — 

The eyes were full of tears — 
Reproachfully she looked at me — 

My soul was filled with fears ; 
" O mamma, would you have me die?" 

My little treasure paused, 
'Cause, if you would, why then I'll say 

The rest and go to God." 

And I — what could I do just then 

But take her to my breast, 
"My little dear, just sa}^ ' Amen ' 

And never mind the rest. 
And then, from out the little e3^es, 

The tears all cleared away 
As when, the gentle shower just past, 

The sun breaks through in May ; 
And, smilingly, she raised her face, 

So happy now again — 
' ' I guess that God will 'souse the rest 

For Jesus' sake, amen." 



32 BETWEEN WHILES. 

FLO. 

They were gathered in the meeting-house 

One happy Summer's day ; 
The preacher's sermon had been read — 

He was just about to pray, 
When, through the open window, 

A httlo bird flew down 
And hghted on the altar's rail 

In front of Parson Brown. 

Our little Flo espied him there 

And whispered to her mother, 
' ' Is that God's messenger, mamma. 

Come for me or baby brother? " 
A pang shot through the mother's heart, 

"No, Flo, be still again," 
And then she murmured, "Lord, not yet!" 

Tho' she knew her prayer was vain. 

For our little Flo was fading fast — 

A few short months in blooin. 
Ere she was called to join the blest 

And we laid her in the tomb. 
And now, when Summertime is come 

With singing birds and flowers, 
We think of Flo at home, at rest — 

That singing bird of ours. 

THEN AND NOW. 

So lonely without you : 

The days come and go — 
The Summer and gladness, 

The Winter and snow; 
The Spring with its blossoms, 

The blight of the Fall, 
Yet lonely without you — 

So lonely through all. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 33 

So lonely without you : 

Since you went away, 
The night is so gloomy — 

So lonel}' the day ; 
The morn brings no gladness — 

So late full of cheer, 
The eve comes with sadness 

Since you are not hero. 

So lonely without j'ou — 

A step ! — can it be? — 
Do you, long since parted. 

Rain kisses on me? 
I feel 3^our embraces 

'Round me as of yore, 
I know your love changeless — 

" So lonely" no more! 

SINCE THE OLD MAN DIED. 

Things is kinder lonely here, 

Since the old man died — 
All the time a feelin' queer, 

Since the old man died — 
Feeling kinder blue alwa3's. 
In the nights as well as days — 
Miss his pert and cheerful ways, 

Since the old man died. 

Haint no heart to knit at all. 

Since the old man died — 
Every weather seems like Fall, 

Since the old man died — 
Like to sit out in his chair 
'N watch the sky away out there — 
Sit and wait without a care, 

Since the old man died. 



34 BETWEEN WHILES. 

Voices I can seem to hear, 

Since the old man died — 
All the time a gittin' near, 

Since the old man died — 
And I seem to hear 'em say, 
"■ Come away ! O come away "- 
Soon, O soon! is all I pray. 
Since the old man died. 



DREAMING AND WAKING. 

I dreamed : the sky above me 

Was bright and Nature, sweet 
And, best of all, yon loved me 

And made my joy complete ; 
A little cottage held us, 

A tiny face gazed o'er — 
The boy you brought each evening 

To greet me at the door. 

I woke : I found you bending 

Just o'er my couch in love — 
Your fair white face was lending 

A glow as from above. 
My dream was truth but, better, 

Was but the shade of real. 
For waking was far sweeter 

Than any vague ideal. 

O happy, such awakening — 

A joy denied to most — 
When comes no inward quaking 

Nor haunts no dismal ghost ; 
AVhen just to live is gladness, 

And life seems never pain, 
And sleep but brings a sadness, 

And forgetfulness is pain. 



BETWEEN WHILES. oO 

''A LITTLE WHILE, THEN HOME/' 

A little while, then home 

And glad for us the day — 
No more to need to roam 

Along a cheerless way ; 
Our hearts, with joy, are light 

At thinking of it all : — 
The welcome there, so bright 

And pleasant to recall ; 

The mother at the door 

Who greet us with a kiss 
And 'round her, sisters four — 

But O, the one we miss ! 
The father from his shop 

Who clasps in ours his hand 
(The tears he scarce can stop !) 

Completes our happy hand. 

The friends that come at night 

To greet the boy right well ; 
The tales he tells — some bright, 

Some sorrowful to tell ; 
The music played — not grand 

But full of deepest joy. 
The merry-making band — 

No care now to annoy. 

"A httle while, then home" 

Some day a gladder time 
Than when afar we'd roam 

And come back to home's clime — 
Angelic welcome there 

And dear ones, friends — all there. 
And, then, no tint of pain 

And, then, no vacant chair. 



36 BETWEEN WHILES. 

I hear the voice — so glad I — 

They raise in welcome there, 
And nothing ever sad 

Is heard upon the air ; 
And, over all, the Light 

Of Worlds is ever shed 
In benediction, sweet, 

On each once-lonesome head. 

LIFE AND DEATH. 

She was singing, sadly singing, 
As she wandered 'neath the trees, 

And the words, so softly floating. 
To my ears, bourne on the breeze — 

Words which voiced the gloomy thought 
That possessed my soul, were these : 

Is life worth living if its joy — 

Short lived, as is the beauteous rose — 

Must, so sure and swift, be covered 
By an avalanche of woes? 

But O, to die ! — ■ no more beyond 
This wretched life, you say, for me? 

Your words bring hope jet O, I fear 
To take the step that sets me free. 

My soul is filled with fears and doubts — 

O, is it all of death to die? 
O wretched, wretched man I am — 

Why was I born? O why, O why ! 

And an echo in my bosom 

Answers back, O why, O why ! 
****** 

A year has passed : again she sings. 
But now I hear the fflad refrain — 



BETWEEN WHILES. 37 

The song that, echoing thro' the j^ears, 
Has filled with hope the hearts of men — 

Has bade them look to Christ who said, 
"Because I live, shall ye again." 

And I believe, since God is just, 
That, though this form may lie in dust, 
That rise, as did m}" Lord, I must 

To dwell with him on High. 
To dwell with Him — no care, no pain 
Shall ever rend this form again ; 
Serenely safe shall I remain — 

I fear not now to die! 

MY FRIEND* 

We met one day — my little friend 

And I so gray and old — 
And, in my lonely life, did blend 

New warmth that once was cold. 

We 'joyed each other day by day- 
New lessons learned from each, 

And much of care we chased away 
By lessons each did teach. 

I loved him so — this little friend — 

I know he loved me too; 
He, to my life, such joy did lend 

I did not dream near through. 

But, on a day when skies were clear 

And birds were singing gay, 
This little friend, I loved so dear, 

A sudden went away. 

And now the days are bare and cold 
That then new joys warmed o'er — 

Life's story far more dreary told 
Than e'er it was before. 



38 BETWEEN WHILES. 

And I, in sadness, wait the day — 
For me, so old, soon here — 

When, in the land not far awa}', 
I'll meet the one so dear. 

Ah, joyful then — as I shall see — 
Through time to never end, 

"Forever with the Lord" to be- 
Forever with my friend. 

INVOCATION FOR A BIBLE. 

A psalm of praise, 
Through all the days, 

I evermore would sing — 
Though bright the skies, 
Though clouds should rise, 

Through all let praises ring. 

And yet the days. 

When nought of praise 
Is with me, come so oft ! 

For doubt and fear 

Is ever near 
To drown my peace of heart. 

O, take these fears ! — 

Their wall uprears 
Between my soul and Thee, 

And, when I look 

Within this Book, 
May I such beauty see 

That faith shall soar 
And cares give o'er 

To sweetest peace and rest ; 
And songs of praise, 
Through all the days, 

Shall make me alwavs blessed. 



BETWEEN WHILES. '.V.i 

AGAINST FATE. 

They carried her over the river — 

And she such a weak, wee thing — 
And thought that the change there would give her 

New hfe and heahh again bring. 

They severed the old ties so tender, 
Of home and of love and of friends, 

And thought that the new ties would lend her 
The strength that new interest sends. 

They caused two fond hearts to sever 
The dear ties that bound them that day, 

Unthinking that those linked can never 
Be happy when parted for aye. 

They brought her back 'cross the river 

And O, her form lay so still : — 
Death brought the change they would give her 

For loneliness nothing can fill. 



THE COMFORTER. 

Lo, in the night of pain and keenest sorrow, 

O hark to the voice that speaks of comfort near — 

Telling that joy and peace will come tomorrow 

And light nngn once more and the clouds all disappear : 

" O come unto me, ye now that weep in sadness" — • 
O hark to the One who knows that all is best ! — 

' ' O come unto me — the morn shall dawn in gladness — 
O come unto me and I will give you rest !" 

And, now, the heart, so lately full of sorrow. 

Has harked to the voice that bade its sorrow cease ; 

And now, at last, the ' ' beautiful tomorrow" 

Has dawned bringing light and deepest joy and peace. 



40 BETWEEN WHILES. 



SAME AS L 



Humph ! — there goes that niggah 

Es proud es proud can be — 
He feels a heap sight bigger 

'N' just looks down onnie; 
Y'd think he owned creation, 

His nose is stuck so high, 
But yet, on our plantation. 
He hoes — the same as I. 
But git to work 
And never shirk — 
The overseer is nigh ; 
That on'ry coon, 
This very noon. 
Will marry — same as I. 

Yes, that is why his nose is 
Raised up now to the sun, 
'N' such an air reposes 

A sick'nin' ev'ry one; 
He's got two daj's vacation 
T' git the job done spry, 
'N' then, on our plantation, 
He'll hoe — the same as I. 
But git to hoin', 
Time is goin' 
'N' noon is drawin' nigh — 
We'll see the fun. 
When work is done, 
So tarry — same as I. 

O yes, he'll get a wife 

That's better'n' him I guess 

'N' won't lead him such a life 
Because she's fond o' dress ; 

A cottage, neat, they say 
Th' massa gives him nigh, 

'N' here, about all day. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 41 

He'll hoe — the same as I. 

But mind j^our task — 

Don't stop to bask, 
The time is goin' by — 

Just come with me 

'N' then you'll see 
The weddin' — same as I. 

'N' then the day may dawn 

When trials hard are near, 
'N' many a bitter moan, 
'N' many a bitter tear ; 
But then the day will cease 

With trust all still on High, 
'N' then, next day, in peace. 
He'll hoe — the same as I. 
But, there you go ! — 
O mj^, this hoe 
My ol' back's breakin' nigh ; 
At last 'tis noon 
'N' now that coon 
Will marry — same as I. 

THE PROPHECY. 

O sing me a song, my bird, tonight 

That the waning day shall hear, 
And, 'raptured, forget lo take its course. 

And the stars forget to appear. 

And the bird it sang a beauteous song. 

From its leafy bower that day — 
A song the waning day could hear 

And, hearing, missed its way. 

For it sang of a Now when all men live, 

One law controlling all — 

The Law of Love their daily guide — 

And self with pain recall. 
****** 



42 . BETWEEN WHILES. 

I woke : the bird of my dream was gone 

With all its beauteous song — 
The bird of truth was singing there 

Of selfishness and wrong. 

It sang how it filled the earth around 

With woe and want and pain, 
And seemed to sigh that the Law of Love 

Could never hold sway again ; 

Yet took, at last, a strain of hope 

As it sang that, here and there, 
Were scattered the true and noble ones 

Who Christly hearts now wear. 

And the leaven should spread and fill the earth — 

More hopeful it sang to me — 
Till the earth should be filled with the glory of God 

As the waters cover the sea. 



ADMONITION. 

Dear little girlie, why cry any more, 

'Though the dream of the morning has fast passed away — 
'Though the feet of your Childhood on Maidenhood's shore 

Are stepping, and Girlhood has quite gone for aye? 

True, there is sadness that dear youth is o'er — 
That Womanhood now with its care is begun ; 

And conviction is born that grows, more and more, 
That life is scarce entered before it is done. 

And yet, little girlie, why cry any more, 

'Though the sigh for the past can never quite cease? — 
O, womanly start out from Girlhood's fair shore 

In a strife which, all conquered, shall bring sweetest peace. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 4:5 

ON THE WAY. 

On the way to town he met her, 

On the way, 
And he vowed she ne'er looked better 

Than that day. 

Stop, he couldn't help but do it 

On the wa}". 
Though he ever more might rue it, 

As they say. 

Then, somehow, they walked together 

On the way — 
Talked of things, especially weather — 

Quite passe. 

Then, somehow, his heart beat faster 

On the way — 
'Fore he knew it he had asked her, 

"Will you May?" 
Then, somehow, she didn't refuse him 

On the way — 
She was awful 'fraid she'd lose him. 

So the}' say. 

Now they walk together finely 

On the way — 
Two are one, almost divinely. 

Glad for aye. 

HANKERING FOR YOU. 

'Twan't best, cause j-ou was rich 

And "cultured" as thej^ say. 
And I was just a country lad. 

And so you went away; 
But yet we loved each other 

And O, our love was true 
And sadly do I miss j^ou— • 

I'm hankerin' for you ! 



44 BETWEEN WHILES. 

'Twas summer when we parted — 

The birds sang in the trees 
And, everywhere, were wafted 

Sweet odors by the breeze ; 
But, since you went, the winter 

Has come with chill anew 
And, o'er my life, has settled— 

I'm hankerin' for 5'ou ! 

I miss your smile and gladness, 

Your bright and happy way — - 
And do you long for me, dear. 

As some folks here now say? — 
O, come back as in old days 

To one who knows you true — 
Come back to one who loves you — 

I'm hankerin' for you. 

OVER THE FENCE. 

Over the fence a little boy lives, 

Happy and bright as the day is long, 
And I listen, up here, to the laugh he gives — 

His happy voice and his gladsome song. 

And, listening here, the cares fall away 

That seemed so heavy before he came. 
And work seems lighter, day by day, 

And farther away seems sin and shame. 

And I read me a sermon as I listen and muse : 
How much of good can a glad heart do ! 

To gladden the sad and joy diffuse — 
Perhaps never knowing its blessing, too. 

And, then, how it widens — this circle of joy 

From a pebble of cheer tossed in weary world's tide- 
On, ever on to the man from the boy, 
From man still on — immeasurably wide ! 



BETWEEN WHILES. 45 



CONTRASTS. 



I 

A soft, sweet breath in the pleasant air 
A Summer day tinted with Fall — 

A quiet gladness everywhere, 
A question — that is all. 

An answer, hard understood at first, 

A joy gone ne'er to recall, 
Two lives, forever after cursed, 

A Hades — that is all. 

II 

A cold, bleak blast on the bitter air — 
A Winter day tinting the Fall — 

A dreary sadness everywhere, 
A question — that is all. 

An answer, hard understood for joy. 
Suspense gone ne'er to recall. 

Two lives of bliss without alloy, 
A Heaven — that is all. 



DRIFTING APART. 

Glad in each other — happy day ! — 

Chasing each other's gloom away ; 

Only to be with each was joy. 

Only to be apart, annoy — 

So passed the days of love, new found, 

And joy was scattered from them around. 

But loving lost it's first found joy 

And, stealthily, crept in alloy — 

Half unnoticed each, at first, 

Nor dreamed their lives to be so cursed ; 

Nor changed was all for steadier flame — 

'Twas reaching beyond friendship's claim. 



40 BETWEEN WHILES. 

'Twere better that some open cause 
For sudden dearth of love there was 
For then, so oft, accepted fate 
■Resigns to change that loved of late, 
And each content to dwell apart 
Nor pain nor sadness rends the heart. 

At last th'awakening comes to each — 
Too late I — beyond each other's reach ! — 
Nor wish nor ever fond desire 
May fan the spark to sometime fire, 
But each, remorsefully, must tell 
The saddest fate that e'er befell. 

And, sighing for the joy that was. 

And longing to find and heal the cause. 

Each ever on his weary way 

Must go and wish the olden day. 

Too late! — the joy — 'twas Heaven for each- 

Has gone, and gone beyond all reach. 



ROVER. 

Got a little yaller dog 

To our house, you see. 
And he's lively as a frog — 

Lots o' fun for me. 

Take him everywhere I go, 
'Cept o' course to school 

An' to meetin' church, you know- 
That's against the rule. 

Lots o' sport have Rover 'n' I 

Goin' off together, 
Whether dark or clear the sky — 

In everv sort o' weather. 



BETWEEN WHILES. 47 

Then, when pop gets home from work, 

Rover 'n' I will play — 
Pop says, makes him feel more perk 

Seein' us that way. 

'Cause, since mammy went away. 

Years and years ago. 
Poppy's sad most every day 

Longin' for her so. 

Some folks think a dog's no good — 

Rover is, that's clear : — 
A dog a friskin', as he should, 

'LI bless afar an' near. 

'N cheerin' 's just the thing on earth, 

The parson says, to do, 
'N' seems to me a dog's some worth 

That's allers cheerin' you. 

I WONDER. 

I wonder if she cares 

For me as once she did, 
I wonder if she shares 

My feelings, once unhid. 

I wonder if she knows 

I love her just the same — 
I fear her fair face shows 

She thinks I'm all to blame. 

But then, I can but try 

Though spurned perhaps I'll be, 

" Ahem, — Marie, don't cry, 
I've some good news for thee." 

She turns, she pouts, "Well, what?" 

(Aha, "so far, so good" — 
You see I'd not forgot 

Her curious womanhood). 



48 BETWEEN WHILES. 

" The silk at Blank and Go's.— 
You need no longer wait — 

Is marked, the paper shows, 
From one to ninefy-eigJit.^'' 

And am I yet alive — 
From kisses free at last? 

I am, and happy thrive 
Relieved from worry, vast. 

My thought — inspired, that came — 
Had met with best success : 

She says, "The quarrel's blame 
Was all mine, dear, I guess." 

LINES FOR A GOLDEN WEDDING. 

'Tis Spring :— 

A happy man and maiden fair 

Join hands and vow their lives to share ; 

The present has its fill of bliss — 

The future hides its bitterness, 

And forward into life they go 

And not a thought of trials know. 

'Tis Summer : — 

The happiest, merriest time is here 
Of all the gladsome wedded year ; 
Unclouded still, the sky of bliss — 
Each seeks the others happiness 
And, happy in a mutual love. 
They leave all else to God above. 

'Tis Autumn : — 

Hark, with ominous, fitful winds, 
The stern reality of life begins, 
And clouds of sorrow cross the sky 
And pale the cheek and dim the eye. 
But in God's promises they rest 
And meekly say, ' ' Thy will is best. " 



BETWEEN WHILES. 49 

'Tis Winter :— 

And what tho' round them storms may break, 
They have a faith that naught can shake, 
And each is more submissive still 
To what may be the Maker's will ; 
And, hopeful, day by day they go 
Reward is not far off they know. 

And so have passed the fifty years 

And, on this Anniversary Day, 
Forget the past and cares and fears — 

Be glad and happy while we may. 
Congratulations, hold full sway ! 

Good wishes, come from every hand ! 
And may we brighten here today 

The pathway to the "Better Land." 



WHEN SHE WAS HERE. 

'Twas easy to be good when she was here : 
The evil thought that held us fast, 
Before the spell of good she cast, 

Would fade awaj^, when she was near. 

'Twas easy to be good when she was here : 
Th' impatient, harsh, unfeeling word, 
From out our lips, she never heard — 

It died away when she was near. 

'Twas easy to be good when she was here : 
The unkind act remained undone. 
Forgotten, for our hearts were won 

To pure and lovely things when she was near. 

O, to be such as she were blessing dear — 
So full of love and charity 
That even we might yield as she 

A spell of good when men were near. 



50 BETWEEN WHILES. 

REVELATION. 

O bird, stay your flight 
To the lofty air, singing. 

And bear me tonight 

From the world and it's sinning 

The day has been long 

And the strife ne'er relaxes 

'Twixt the right and the wrong, 
But more fiercely waxes. 

And the bird stayed his flight, 
A message to give me, 

And the voice heard that night 
Will never more leave me : 

Your strife, weary mortal. 

Will never be past 
Till, through Heaven's portal, 

Your soul goes, at last. 

Yet ne'er wish it over 
Before that fair day 

Or, like me, to hover 
From earth far away ; 

The soul, Clod ward trusting. 
That fights day by day 

And, thus, keeps from rusting 
His armor alway. 

Will find Heaven fairer 
For vict'ries gained here, 

And joys, rich and rarer. 
Will ever be near. 









^^ 



\i^ "> 



^:s^ 




